Proverbs 6:30-33 

³⁰People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger when he is starving. ³¹Yet if he is caught, he must pay sevenfold, though it costs him all the wealth of his house. ³²But a man who commits adultery has no sense; whoever does so destroys himself. ³³Blows and disgrace are his lot, and his shame will never be wiped away.

Cookie Jar

            You heard of the saying that says, “Get caught with their hand in the cookie jar!” It pertains to kids who got caught taking cookies in a jar. Have you ever been caught taking cookies in the cookie jar when you were young children? Can you still remember how you had reacted when you got caught doing foolishness?

Some individuals use this statement, “Get caught with their hand in the cookie jar!” as idiomatic expression to humorously describe illicit activities like bribery or exploitation of authority or office, especially government officials.

            Do you know of politicians who have private stories of naughtiness? If such naughty story could destroy their reputation, they won’t tell to anybody.

            Reputation is very significant asset for anyone. As Christians, our reputation is very essential to our testimony. We were advised in 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12: ¹¹Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, ¹²so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

Quiet life is opposed to gossip. But when divine opportunity presents itself, we should still be ready to share our testimony of life transformation. We should expect observers to scrutinize our life, behaviors, habits and attitudes when we talk about our faith in God. Would you say that Christian life is the best episode of your life on earth? If so, practise Christian beliefs as proof and not despise it.

1.  Despise

³⁰People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger when he is starving. ³¹Yet if he is caught, he must pay sevenfold, though it costs him all the wealth of his house.

            As Christians, we should not steal just to satisfy our hunger. A hungry thief may not be despised. But hungry or not, stealing is still an offense that deserves punishment according to the law. It’s very sad reality that many bad elements of our society have no regret and shame when stealing goods even in broad daylight.

Anywhere around the world, in any generation, there will always be thieves that may exist. Stealing is an easy solution of individuals who have no respect for others. The Lord forbids stealing. Stealing is opposed to loving our neighbor.

Of course, Apostle Paul warned against stealing in Ephesians 4:27-28, ²⁷Do not give the devil a foothold. ²⁸Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.

Honesty Store

            Have you heard of the HONESTY STORE in the Philippines? It has no store clerks, no security guard, and it is self service. You write the item you want to buy in the log book and drop exact amount of payment into the designated drop box.

            Honesty Stores promote integrity among customers. Will it happen in the western world? That remains to be seen hopefully. There are honest people, and people who are tempted to steal. If they cannot resist the urge to steal items that may have attracted their curiosity, could they be suffering from Kleptomania?

            Believers of God are commanded not to steal, but unmindfully mortals rob God. It stated in Malachi 3:8-11, ⁸“Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. ⁹You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. ¹⁰Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. ¹¹I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty. 

            When God says that mortals rob him, it is true. No proof is needed. Why do Christians hesitate to give the tithes of God? We pray to grow in our faith in him. How many believers know that not giving God’s tithe is curse even for the nation?

When we give the tithes of God, he would pour out so much blessing and also prevents our source of income from destruction. Can you believe that?

2.  Destroy

³²But a man who commits adultery has no sense; whoever does so destroys himself. ³³Blows and disgrace are his lot, and his shame will never be wiped away.

The sin of adultery had been deliberately given much explanation, and the wise person avoids it. Adultery demands costly payment, the life of offenders. Committing adultery exposes that the adulterous has no sense. It is foolishness.

The sin of adultery was emphasized because mankind cannot resist it. His foolish instinct disregards terrible consequences. A foolish can’t comprehend that adultery destroys his life. He won’t know if he could be disgraced and shamed for a longest time. If he knows, he won’t mind it. Reputation is not essential to him.

God commanded us not to commit adultery. We are reminded that godly commands require godly efforts. By the grace of God, we can avoid the sin of adultery. This calls for complete submission to the Holy Spirit of God. Adultery can cause many other personal and family concerns and problems.

Most of us are very concerned when we our brothers and sisters in Christ are absent during our fellowships or worship services. We wonder of what may possibly happened to them. We may ask about them, and just hear response like, “I’m okay!” Yet, we sense that something may have been bothering them.

How should we respond when they avoid or don’t want to share their concern?

Apostle Paul had testified in 2 Corinthians 11:28-30, ²⁸Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. ²⁹Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn? ³⁰If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.

It is not very encouraging when we don’t see our brothers and sisters in Christ. Most often, when believers are anxious or pre-occupied with personal or family concerns, fellowship with fellow believers becomes lesser priority. We gather during each week to worship God, encourage one another, intercede for others and pray for personal concerns, family affairs and church matters.

May God bless all of us to faithfully give praise and gratitude to him!

King David seriously prayed in Psalm 25:1-7, ¹In you, Lord my God, I put my trust. ²I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. ³No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause. ⁴Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. ⁵Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. ⁶Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. ⁷Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, Lord, are good.

Surely, we want to experience more of the light of Christ to keep shining in and through our life and in and through his church, here and abroad. Amen.

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